The Probst Lab
@probstlab.bsky.social
Group for Environmental Metagenomics, led by @alexjprobst.bsky.social
Microbial, viral, & geochemical interactions by linking meta'omics & microscopy
Managed by @geomicrosoares.bsky.social
Microbial, viral, & geochemical interactions by linking meta'omics & microscopy
Managed by @geomicrosoares.bsky.social
Near-zero temperatures, but field sampling is still a-go for the Probst lab π
@geomicrosoares.bsky.social @feriel.bsky.social @pengyaoz.bsky.social are out in Regensburg!
@unidue.bsky.social @uniregensburg.bsky.social
@geomicrosoares.bsky.social @feriel.bsky.social @pengyaoz.bsky.social are out in Regensburg!
@unidue.bsky.social @uniregensburg.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Near-zero temperatures, but field sampling is still a-go for the Probst lab π
@geomicrosoares.bsky.social @feriel.bsky.social @pengyaoz.bsky.social are out in Regensburg!
@unidue.bsky.social @uniregensburg.bsky.social
@geomicrosoares.bsky.social @feriel.bsky.social @pengyaoz.bsky.social are out in Regensburg!
@unidue.bsky.social @uniregensburg.bsky.social
Sorry Alex we meant @alexjprobst.bsky.social not you :)
November 17, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Sorry Alex we meant @alexjprobst.bsky.social not you :)
We analysed more than 1 TB of sequencing data and discovered that CRISPR-Cas systems in two subsurface environments acquire spacers matching multiple prokaryotes in the same environment.
This provides an explanation for some of the many unmatched spacers in public databases.
@unidue.bsky.social
This provides an explanation for some of the many unmatched spacers in public databases.
@unidue.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 12:09 PM
We analysed more than 1 TB of sequencing data and discovered that CRISPR-Cas systems in two subsurface environments acquire spacers matching multiple prokaryotes in the same environment.
This provides an explanation for some of the many unmatched spacers in public databases.
@unidue.bsky.social
This provides an explanation for some of the many unmatched spacers in public databases.
@unidue.bsky.social
We are excited to share @probstlab.bsky.social's latest publication on the diversity of CRISPR-Cas spacers, led by @katharinasures.bsky.social !! π§¬
Have a read!! β‘οΈ doi.org/10.1093/gbe/...
@emilruff.bsky.social @alexjaffe.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social & others not in Bluesky!
Have a read!! β‘οΈ doi.org/10.1093/gbe/...
@emilruff.bsky.social @alexjaffe.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social & others not in Bluesky!
Acquisition of Spacers from Foreign Prokaryotic Genomes by CRISPR-Cas Systems in Natural Environments
Abstract. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems of bacteria and archaea provide immunities
doi.org
November 17, 2025 at 12:09 PM
We are excited to share @probstlab.bsky.social's latest publication on the diversity of CRISPR-Cas spacers, led by @katharinasures.bsky.social !! π§¬
Have a read!! β‘οΈ doi.org/10.1093/gbe/...
@emilruff.bsky.social @alexjaffe.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social & others not in Bluesky!
Have a read!! β‘οΈ doi.org/10.1093/gbe/...
@emilruff.bsky.social @alexjaffe.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social & others not in Bluesky!
They made up the Data Reuse Core Team along with @lhug.bsky.social @environmicrobio.bsky.social @folker.bsky.social and had the support of the Data Reuse Consortium, composed of 167 scientists globally who were pivotal in driving this effort forward! Thank you all! π§¬
@unidue.bsky.social
@unidue.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 8:03 AM
They made up the Data Reuse Core Team along with @lhug.bsky.social @environmicrobio.bsky.social @folker.bsky.social and had the support of the Data Reuse Consortium, composed of 167 scientists globally who were pivotal in driving this effort forward! Thank you all! π§¬
@unidue.bsky.social
@unidue.bsky.social
Our own @alexjprobst.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social and Cristina Moraru have recently authored a @natmicrobiol.nature.com Consensus Statement where they discuss new mechanisms for sequencing data reuse! π§¬π»
Check out their manuscript here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out their manuscript here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A roadmap for equitable reuse of public microbiome data - Nature Microbiology
In this Consensus Statement, a consortium of microbiome scientists discuss current sequencing data sharing policies and propose the use of a Data Reuse Information (DRI) tag to promote equitable and collaborative data sharing.
www.nature.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Our own @alexjprobst.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social and Cristina Moraru have recently authored a @natmicrobiol.nature.com Consensus Statement where they discuss new mechanisms for sequencing data reuse! π§¬π»
Check out their manuscript here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out their manuscript here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@alexjprobst.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social & Till Bornemann from our group were part of this effort!
Shoutout to the remainder collaborators at the China University of Geosciences, and Jon Lloyd at the University of Manchester (@manchesterup.bsky.social).
@unidue.bsky.social & others RT!
Shoutout to the remainder collaborators at the China University of Geosciences, and Jon Lloyd at the University of Manchester (@manchesterup.bsky.social).
@unidue.bsky.social & others RT!
August 7, 2025 at 8:05 AM
@alexjprobst.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social & Till Bornemann from our group were part of this effort!
Shoutout to the remainder collaborators at the China University of Geosciences, and Jon Lloyd at the University of Manchester (@manchesterup.bsky.social).
@unidue.bsky.social & others RT!
Shoutout to the remainder collaborators at the China University of Geosciences, and Jon Lloyd at the University of Manchester (@manchesterup.bsky.social).
@unidue.bsky.social & others RT!
We tracked nucleotide diversity in MAGs across different mining stages, which suggested widespread mutational pressure under long-term environmental stress!
August 7, 2025 at 8:05 AM
We tracked nucleotide diversity in MAGs across different mining stages, which suggested widespread mutational pressure under long-term environmental stress!
We leveraged #metagenomics & #metatranscriptomics data to estimate microdiversity in groundwater at different stages of U mining.
We show that U in-situ leaching drives significant alterations in π¦ community composition, oxidative stress, biogeochemical cycling, and overexpression of 𧬠repair genes
We show that U in-situ leaching drives significant alterations in π¦ community composition, oxidative stress, biogeochemical cycling, and overexpression of 𧬠repair genes
August 7, 2025 at 8:05 AM
We leveraged #metagenomics & #metatranscriptomics data to estimate microdiversity in groundwater at different stages of U mining.
We show that U in-situ leaching drives significant alterations in π¦ community composition, oxidative stress, biogeochemical cycling, and overexpression of 𧬠repair genes
We show that U in-situ leaching drives significant alterations in π¦ community composition, oxidative stress, biogeochemical cycling, and overexpression of 𧬠repair genes
Fresh out of the oven! π
We're happy to see this preprint out, fruit of a recent collaboration with @wei-biogeochem.bsky.social! π§¬π»
Small 𧡠below going through the main points π
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We're happy to see this preprint out, fruit of a recent collaboration with @wei-biogeochem.bsky.social! π§¬π»
Small 𧡠below going through the main points π
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Uranium mining fuels evolution in deep groundwater microbiomes
Microbial communities in the deep biosphere underpin global biogeochemical cycles, yet their evolutionary responses to extensive anthropogenic disturbances remain unclear. Uranium in-situ leaching (IS...
www.biorxiv.org
August 7, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Fresh out of the oven! π
We're happy to see this preprint out, fruit of a recent collaboration with @wei-biogeochem.bsky.social! π§¬π»
Small 𧡠below going through the main points π
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We're happy to see this preprint out, fruit of a recent collaboration with @wei-biogeochem.bsky.social! π§¬π»
Small 𧡠below going through the main points π
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Please RT this awesome opportunity to do a PhD at @unidue.bsky.social in collaboration with @jgi.doe.gov!! π₯ Thanks!
The Central Collection of Algal Cultures (CCAC) at @unidue.bsky.social is advertising a 3-year PhD position supervised by the current Curator, Dr. Olga Matantseva!
This PhD will take place in close collaboration with the @jgi.doe.gov. π¦ π§¬π»
Apply here: www.uni-due.de/karriere/ste...
This PhD will take place in close collaboration with the @jgi.doe.gov. π¦ π§¬π»
Apply here: www.uni-due.de/karriere/ste...
July 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Please RT this awesome opportunity to do a PhD at @unidue.bsky.social in collaboration with @jgi.doe.gov!! π₯ Thanks!
Weβre happy to announce Dr. Lennard Stach!! π₯³π₯³ Well done Lennard for a brilliant defense and thesis!! We will miss you!
Finally, thank you @leeselab.bsky.social for sitting in the thesis committee! π«Ά
Finally, thank you @leeselab.bsky.social for sitting in the thesis committee! π«Ά
July 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Weβre happy to announce Dr. Lennard Stach!! π₯³π₯³ Well done Lennard for a brilliant defense and thesis!! We will miss you!
Finally, thank you @leeselab.bsky.social for sitting in the thesis committee! π«Ά
Finally, thank you @leeselab.bsky.social for sitting in the thesis committee! π«Ά
Our @umweltstiftung.bsky.social fellow Linda Labecka presented her work at the most recent DBU conference! She works closely with the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (@unidue.bsky.social & University Medicine Essen) and UniversitΓ€tsklinikum Bonn (@unibonn.bsky.social)! π§¬π»
June 13, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Our @umweltstiftung.bsky.social fellow Linda Labecka presented her work at the most recent DBU conference! She works closely with the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (@unidue.bsky.social & University Medicine Essen) and UniversitΓ€tsklinikum Bonn (@unibonn.bsky.social)! π§¬π»
Our latest work is out - here, our own Dr. Sarah EΓer compares transcriptomic patterns of Altiarchaeum in Crystal Geyser (US) and the Muehlbacher sufidic spring (Germany)! π§¬
Read more below:
enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Read more below:
enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Differential Expression of Core Metabolic Functions in Candidatus Altiarchaeum Inhabiting Distinct Subsurface Ecosystems
Major differences between Candidatus Altiarchaeum species living in two distinct subsurface ecosystems as determined via metatranscriptomics. Genes overly expressed in different Ca. Altiarchaea in Mu...
enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Our latest work is out - here, our own Dr. Sarah EΓer compares transcriptomic patterns of Altiarchaeum in Crystal Geyser (US) and the Muehlbacher sufidic spring (Germany)! π§¬
Read more below:
enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Read more below:
enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Excited to welcome @hsintunglai.bsky.social and @renaandraes.bsky.social as PhD students to our group!! They will be working within Phase 2 of @crc-resist.bsky.social @unidue.bsky.social under the supervision of @alexjprobst.bsky.social and @cristinamoraru.bsky.social.
a person in a lab coat with the word let 's do this
ALT: a person in a lab coat with the word let 's do this
media.tenor.com
May 30, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Excited to welcome @hsintunglai.bsky.social and @renaandraes.bsky.social as PhD students to our group!! They will be working within Phase 2 of @crc-resist.bsky.social @unidue.bsky.social under the supervision of @alexjprobst.bsky.social and @cristinamoraru.bsky.social.
#TBT to @joernstarke.bsky.social and @katharinasures.bsky.social presenting their amazing work at the @vaam-microbes.bsky.social AC 2025 which took place at @ruhr-uni-bochum.de just last week! Well done you two!
@crc-resist.bsky.social @unidue.bsky.social
@crc-resist.bsky.social @unidue.bsky.social
April 3, 2025 at 4:19 PM
#TBT to @joernstarke.bsky.social and @katharinasures.bsky.social presenting their amazing work at the @vaam-microbes.bsky.social AC 2025 which took place at @ruhr-uni-bochum.de just last week! Well done you two!
@crc-resist.bsky.social @unidue.bsky.social
@crc-resist.bsky.social @unidue.bsky.social
Here's our latest group photo! Our lovely team keeps growing, as does our enthusiasm for doing great science together! π¦ π§¬
March 31, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Here's our latest group photo! Our lovely team keeps growing, as does our enthusiasm for doing great science together! π¦ π§¬
Hereβs @joernstarke.bsky.social !! π₯³
March 24, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Hereβs @joernstarke.bsky.social !! π₯³
Then on Wednesday 9.30am at Lecture Hall 5, @katharinasures.bsky.social who recently started her PhD with us will tell us more βNew insights into the spacer diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems in natural environmentsβ, a collab with @emilruff.bsky.social ! π§¬π»
March 24, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Then on Wednesday 9.30am at Lecture Hall 5, @katharinasures.bsky.social who recently started her PhD with us will tell us more βNew insights into the spacer diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems in natural environmentsβ, a collab with @emilruff.bsky.social ! π§¬π»
On Tuesday 12.30pm at Lecture Hall 7, our own JΓΆrn Starke is presenting on βFlow Velocity and Anthropogenic Stressors Drive Microbial Community Dynamics in Riverine Ecosystemsβ, right out of @crc-resist.bsky.social and our role at @unidue.bsky.social in that project! ποΈ
March 24, 2025 at 6:07 AM
On Tuesday 12.30pm at Lecture Hall 7, our own JΓΆrn Starke is presenting on βFlow Velocity and Anthropogenic Stressors Drive Microbial Community Dynamics in Riverine Ecosystemsβ, right out of @crc-resist.bsky.social and our role at @unidue.bsky.social in that project! ποΈ
Weβre looking forward to meeting all our science friends at the @vaam-microbes.bsky.social Annual Conference 2025 at @ruhr-uni-bochum.de !! π§¬π¦
On our side, weβre exceptionally giving two talks about our latest work:
β¬οΈ
On our side, weβre exceptionally giving two talks about our latest work:
β¬οΈ
March 24, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Weβre looking forward to meeting all our science friends at the @vaam-microbes.bsky.social Annual Conference 2025 at @ruhr-uni-bochum.de !! π§¬π¦
On our side, weβre exceptionally giving two talks about our latest work:
β¬οΈ
On our side, weβre exceptionally giving two talks about our latest work:
β¬οΈ
Super happy to be hosting Prof. Richard Allen White III AKA @raw937.bsky.social from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte at @unidue.bsky.social for 3 surprisingly sunny weeks!! Great to have you around Rick!! π¦ π§¬
March 17, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Super happy to be hosting Prof. Richard Allen White III AKA @raw937.bsky.social from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte at @unidue.bsky.social for 3 surprisingly sunny weeks!! Great to have you around Rick!! π¦ π§¬
Our π¦Έ team included: @alexjprobst.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social @emilruff.bsky.social @cristinamoraru, Till Bornemann, Adrian Lange, @leagriesdorn.bsky.social , AdriΓ‘n Fuentes, Marie Dieckmann, Beate Krok, Michael HΓΌgler
@unidue.bsky.social
@unidue.bsky.social
March 11, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Our π¦Έ team included: @alexjprobst.bsky.social @geomicrosoares.bsky.social @emilruff.bsky.social @cristinamoraru, Till Bornemann, Adrian Lange, @leagriesdorn.bsky.social , AdriΓ‘n Fuentes, Marie Dieckmann, Beate Krok, Michael HΓΌgler
@unidue.bsky.social
@unidue.bsky.social
Want to know whoβs replicating and whoβs just hanging out in your enrichment cultures? Our new study led by @soansi.bsky.social shows how @nanoporetech.com long-read sequencing can reveal replication states, shedding light on microbial growth. π¦ π§¬
See our latest publication: doi.org/10.1093/isme...
See our latest publication: doi.org/10.1093/isme...
Inferring replication states of bacteria and viruses in enrichment cultures via long-read sequencing
Abstract. Most microorganisms cannot be cultured in isolation, necessitating sophisticated methods for studying their (eco)physiology. While numerous appro
doi.org
March 11, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Want to know whoβs replicating and whoβs just hanging out in your enrichment cultures? Our new study led by @soansi.bsky.social shows how @nanoporetech.com long-read sequencing can reveal replication states, shedding light on microbial growth. π¦ π§¬
See our latest publication: doi.org/10.1093/isme...
See our latest publication: doi.org/10.1093/isme...
Is stress response in stream sediments uniform across catchments? ππ¦
With @TheWrightonLab at CSU, we built river MAG & gene DBs and used metaT data to explore this while uncovering active stream microbiome metabolic functions!
Read our preprint here: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
@unidue.bsky.social
With @TheWrightonLab at CSU, we built river MAG & gene DBs and used metaT data to explore this while uncovering active stream microbiome metabolic functions!
Read our preprint here: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
@unidue.bsky.social
A uniform stress response of stream microbiomes in the hyporheic zone across North America
Background Stream hyporheic zones represent a unique ecosystem at the interface of stream water and surrounding sediments, characterized by high heterogeneity and accelerated biogeochemical activity. ...
doi.org
February 20, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Is stress response in stream sediments uniform across catchments? ππ¦
With @TheWrightonLab at CSU, we built river MAG & gene DBs and used metaT data to explore this while uncovering active stream microbiome metabolic functions!
Read our preprint here: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
@unidue.bsky.social
With @TheWrightonLab at CSU, we built river MAG & gene DBs and used metaT data to explore this while uncovering active stream microbiome metabolic functions!
Read our preprint here: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
@unidue.bsky.social